HIM 2020 Conference Status
**UPDATED MARCH 12, 2020**While we recognize that coronavirus is a serious health concern, HIM is going forward with our HIM 2020 Conference, March 19-21, at the Hawaii Convention Center.
We believe more than ever that the Body of Christ needs to gather at this time to pray and be reminded of the LIVING HOPE we have in God. If ever there was a time for the Church of Hawai‘i to stand firm, this is it. At HIM 2020 we will gather as The Body of Christ across churches, cultures and generations. We will worship, pray, and proclaim as one that Jesus Christ is The Hope of the world in every circumstance, for every person.
HIM is not alone in proceeding. The Hawai‘i Convention Center has told us that it has not received any cancellations due to COVID-19. NONE of our speakers have canceled. HIM 2020 will deliver a full program of hope, grounded in worship.
The State of Hawaii Department of Health (https://health.hawaii.gov/news/covid-19-updates) is reporting as of today, March 6, that there are no cases of COVID-19 identified in Hawai‘i. Please read revised status below
>> March 12, 2020 UPDATE: The State of Hawai‘i Department of Health has confirmed two (2) presumptive positive cases in Hawai‘i. There continue to be no restrictions on gatherings and events such as HIM 2020. Hawai‘i schools remain open.
The Depart of Health has posted these guidelines:
People are urged not to spread misinformation or inaccurate statements that are not confirmed, and keep updated and informed on the situation. Everyone can help prevent the spread of respiratory illness with these everyday actions:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household
cleaning spray or wipe.CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from illnesses, including COVID-19. Keep in mind that supplies are limited and we need to make sure there are enough masks for our front-line health care workers. If you are sick then wear a mask to protect the people around you. For more CDC prevention guidelines go to:
COVID-19 FAQs are available in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Ilocano languages under “Resources” at the DOH website: https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/advisories/novel-coronavirus-2019/. You may also call 211 for questions about COVID-19.
For the best information on COVID-19 status, prevention and treatment, refer to the CDC COVID-19 website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
Prevention
Pathologists have stated that the virus is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing which means the air itself will not infect you, but all surfaces where these droplets may have landed may infect one, or if someone sneezes or coughs directly at you. The virus only has cell receptors for the lungs and can only affect them through your nose or mouth. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
With this in mind, we have some preventative ground rules for all of us at HIM 2020:
No handshaking. Use fist bumps, shaka, or elbow bumps — or just wave, smile and send your aloha from the heart.
Wash your hands frequently with soap for at least 20 seconds and avoid touching your nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Bring your own sanitizers with more than 60% ethanol. This is the level of alcohol that kills the virus on surfaces and hands. We will have a limited quantity available for purchase.
Cough or sneeze into disposable tissue and discard. We will have ample boxes of tissues on site.
If you have a cough, use zinc lozenges.
The Hawaii Convention Center has informed us that they have placed additional hand sanitizer stations throughout the building for attendees to use. It has also increased cleaning and sanitizing of all common areas of the building. This includes areas such as elevator cabs, elevator buttons, hand rails on escalators, additional bacterial wipes at all podiums in meeting rooms along with additional sanitizers.
If someone is sick, stay home. You may give or sell your registration to someone else. You may also make it a donation to HIM. Let us know if you’d like to do the latter so that we can recognize your gift. We are upholding our policy of no refunds.
God bless. We will start HIM 2020 with a mass prayer for our state, our country, our world.
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS MINISTRIES
"We have our hope set on the Living God." 1 Timothy 4:10
